Join the Sick Leave Bank

Ann Mayer knows why it’s important to be a member of the Sick Leave Bank—it was there when she really needed it.

Mayer joined the University 14 years ago. Her mentor at UTC strongly encouraged her to become a Sick Leave Bank member. During her UTC orientation, Mayer signed up for insurance and additional benefits, but neglected to sign up for the Sick Leave Bank. Her mentor reminded her to join, so during the next enrollment period, she did.

More than a decade later Mayer, Early Childhood Specialist and young toddler teacher at the UTC Children’s Center, experienced complications during a procedure performed to address an illness. She knew her sick leave days were running out, so she contacted UTC Human Resources. Mayer received forms by email, and within a few days of returning the forms, she was approved to use hours from the Sick Bank.

If you haven’t signed up, now through June 28 is the enrollment period for this excellent investment. You are eligible whether you are full-time or part-time at UTC—any regular staff or 12-month faculty member who accrues sick leave can join with a donation of 24 hours, if they have at least 48 hours sick leave balance on June 30. The sick leave balance requirement is prorated for part-time employees.

If your office or department wants to know more about the Sick Leave Bank, call Kendra Biggs in Human Resources at (423) 425-4753.

Family and Medical leave

If an illness, childbirth, adoption, or foster care will keep you from working or if you need to take care of a sick spouse, child, or parent for an extended time, talk to Human Resources about signing up for Family and Medical Leave. Employees who have worked at UTC for at least one year are eligible for up to a maximum of 12 work weeks of paid or unpaid leave during a 12-month period. Call Kendra Biggs in Human Resources at 425-4753 for more information.

UTC Learn

UTC’s Blackboard learning management system will be renamed “UTC Learn” and upgraded with new and exciting features for instructors and students, including a new interface, profiles and social learning tools, Video Everywhere, and new course themes. All links on the UTC website that say “UTC Online” or “Blackboard” will be renamed “UTC Learn” beginning May 5. Watch for emails from the Walker Center for Teaching and Learning to learn about how you can prepare for the upgrade.

Robert Fisher, a Brock Scholar and Student Government Association President, has been named a 2014 Truman Scholar by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. Fisher plans to earn his undergraduate degree in political science in May 2015. He will receive up to $30,000 for graduate study. Scholars also receive leadership training, career and graduate school counseling, and special internship opportunities within the federal government.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is a national model for metropolitan universities. In collaboration with our many regional partners, we offer our students an experiential learning environment graced with outstanding teaching scholars in bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.